Ignition device



July 2, 1935. J BE AL 2,006,341

IGNITION DEVICE Filed Feb. 3, 1934 Patented July 2, 1935 PATENT OFFICE IGNITION DEVICE John Berg, Chicago, and Robert M. Lindsay, Oak Park, 111., assignors, by mesne assignments, to

John H. Lee,

River Forest, Ill.

Y Application February 3, 1934, Serial No. 709,632

- 10 Claims.

This invention relates particularly to an ignition device, or ignition system, for internal combustion engines.

The primary object is to provide an improved, simplified device which can be introduced into the secondary circuit of an ignition system, which will have the effect of increasing the firing power of the'spark-plugs of the system, and which will tend, also, to protect the condenser with which the make-and-break device of the primary circuit is equipped.

The purpose is accomplished by introducing, in series with the spark-plug, a booster-device of improved construction and operation.

The booster-device may be introduced into the high-tension line leading from the secondary winding to the spark-plug. It preferably comprises a lamp bulb filled with neon gas, which bulb may be mounted in the high-tension circuit, either on the distributor-head, in which case it acts as a master-booster, or may be mounted one upon each of the several spark-plugs, which, for certain reasons, may be a. preferable'arrangement.

Neon gas is an inert gas which is a. very good conductor of electric current, but which appears, in accordance with thepresent invention, to act as an accumulator, adapted to give an increased and hotter flow of sparks between the firingelectrodes of the spark-plug. Helium gas, argon gas, or other suitable conductive gas, which will possess also the property of acting as an accumulator, may be employed in lieu of neon gas. The improved device has the further advantage that the electrodes in the lamp-bulb are not subjected to oxidizing action; hence, the device will operate effectively for a long period of time. Moreover, a fresh lamp-bulb may be readily substituted, at very slight expense, for an injured or defective bulb.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 illustrates diagrammatically an ignition system, showing the improved boosterdevice applied to the cap of an ordinary distributor; Fig. 2, an enlarged broken sectional view of the distributor-cap and the device mounted thereon, showing the relation to the coil; Fig. 3, an enlarged broken view, partly in section, illustrating the manner in which individual boosterdevices may be applied to the several spark-plugs;'

and Fig. 4, a sectional view of a bulb having its inner electrodes separated in such manner as to insure a longer passage of the electric current through the conductive gas within the bulb.

Referring to the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, A designates the distributor of an ignition system; B, an engine-cylinder equipped with a firing-plug B; C, a battery in a primary circuit C which includes a primary winding C; D andD, conductors forming a part'of a secondary circuit which includes an induction winding D and E, the improved booster-device applied to the cap-portion of the distributor A.

For convenience, what is commonly known as the coil of an ignition system is designated F (shown fragmentarily in Fig. 2).

The high tension lead D connects the secondary winding with the device E; and the conductor D corresponds with any one of the leads from the distributor to a corresponding spark-plug.

Referring to the distributor A, I designates a base-member which carries the make-and-break device;' 2, the distributor-head; and 3, the rotary shaft of the distributor, which carries a cam 3* for operating the make-and-break device and a contact 3 which distributes the high tension current to the contacts 4, which, in turn, are connected with the conductors D leading to the spark-plugs.

The make-and-break device comprises, further, a fixed contact member 5, a spring-held pivoted contact member 6, and a condenser 1. The terminals of the make-and-break device, designated 8 and 9, are connected with the primary circuit. The construction and operation of the distributor are well known in the art. The primary circuit may have therein a resistance l0 and a control switch II.

The central sparking-point and outer sparkingpoint of the plug B are designated l2 and I3, respectively.

As will be understood from Figs. 1 and 2, the device E, as shown, comprises an adapter I mounted on the distributor-cap; and a bulb l5 removably mounted in the socket of the adapter. The device preferably is equipped with a housing l6 which is secured upon the shank'l5' of the bulb.

The adapter l4 preferably comprises a plug M of insulating material; a sleeve ll which serves as a socket for the bulb; and a device M which affords a central contact and securing device between the central contact member I 6 of the distributor and the central contact of the lamp-bulb. The device l4 includes an expandible member ll, a screw l 8 having its upper endportion securely fastened to the plug I4, and a spring-pressed contact-plunger H! which engages the central terminal of the lamp. The member 11 ifi inserted in 11119 f'l'lhnluv nwnav Mi tion of the member l6, and the screw 3 is then turned downwardly until the plug l4 rests upon the external boss 20 of the distributor-head,- the screw serving to expand the member I! within the member l6.

The member I6 is equipped at its lower end with a spring-pressed contact-member 2| in the usual manner.

Preferably, a portion of the sleeve W is partially severed and struck outwardly to provide a bracket 22 upon which is mounted a tubular contact-member 23 which receives the contactplug 24 of the conductor D leading from the secondary winding of the coil. It may be stated that the conductor D' and contact-plug 24 ordinarily connect the secondary winding directly with the central contact-member 16 of the distributor. In applying the improved device, the plug 24 is withdrawn from the socket afforded by the member iii, the booster is applied in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2, and the contact plug 24 is then inserted in the socket 23.

The shank Ili of the bulb I5 is equipped with studs 25, which engage bayonet slots 26 in the tubular socket M". The electrodes within the bulb are designated'2l and 28. The electrode 21 is connected by a lead 2! with the metallic sleeve IS on the shank of the bulb; and the electrode 28 is connected by a central lead 28 with the central terminal 28 of the bulb.

The housing I6 preferably is employed as a protection for the bulb. As shown, it ,comprises a base-portion l6 fitted on the sleeve l5 of the bulb-shank; and an inverted cup-like member l6 whose open lower end fits onto the ring-like base-portion I6. The vertical wall of the member I 6 is provided with slots |6 which permit the condition of the bulb to be viewed without removing the housing. When desired, the cuplike member Iii may be removed to enable a substitute bulb to be applied. The housing may be of any suitable material, and of any suitable design. The slots in the housing may be of any desired design. When the ignition system is operating, the bulb develops a reddish glow. Thus, the interior of the hood of the automobile may be lighted in this manner, and, at night, particularly, the diffused light from the hood will be evident through the louvres, thus-operating somewhat as a warning signal at street intersections.

It is evident from the description given that the booster effect from the device E will be applied to the spark-plugs, in succession, as they are fired through the medium of the distributor. 0bviously, the same effect would be obtained if the device E were mounted on the coil (between conductor D and coil F), instead of on the distributor. Although not so illustrated, it -.is the common practice to make the terminal plugs of conductor D of the same size, the socket at the coil being of corresponding size.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3, one of the spark-plugs B is shown on a larger scale and has applied thereto a booster device designated E. The construction corresponds, except as'will be noted, with the construction previously described, and the parts are correspondingly lettered. The central outer terminal of the sparkplug is designated 29, and the conductor ordinarily applied thereto is designated 39. In lieu of the plug I4 2. modified plug M forms a part of the adapter. This plug is of tubular form and is screwed on to the central outer terminal 29 of the spark-plug.

The plug is further equipped with a contact-member 3| which forms a connection between the terminal 29 and the central terminal 28 of the bulb. A bracket 22, formed integrally with the sleeve I4 is equipped with a threaded stud 32 equipped with a nut 32. This forms a terminal with which the conductor -30 is connected, after the device E has been applied to the spark-plug.

If desired, a housing i6, like that shown in Fig. 1, may be applied to the device E on each spark-plug.

It will be understood that, employing the modification of Fig. 3, each spark-plug is equipped with an individual booster-device which is located at close range, so that the charge of electricity which apparently accumulates in the bulb may be exerted, without serious loss, directly in the gap between the points of the spark-plug. In this modification, also, the booster effect is not compelled to act across the small gaps in the distributor which ordinarily exist between the contacts 3 and 4. Thus, there is less danger of injury to the contact points of the high-tension system in the distributor.

In either form .of the invention shown, apparently the electrical accumulator, E or E, tends to protect the condenser I of the distributor. Seemingly, this is accomplished by preventing a re surgence of current through the condenser. As is well known. if the condenser breaks down, the result is a short circuit around the points of the make-and-break device, which practically renders the ignition inoperative.

The improved device serves to give a hotter and more prolonged spark between the contact points l2 and I3 of the firing-plug. Thus, the device tends to facilitate starting of the engine, keeps the spark-plug clean, insures more perfect combustion in the engine, and tends to economy in the operation of the engine.

The improved device is much superiorto devices, such as air gaps, vacuum tubes or the like, interposed in the high-tension circuit. Not only are the electrodes 21 and 28 protected against oxidation, but also the charge of gas within the bulb apparently acts' as an electrical accumulator, which will, at the time of firing, feed current across the gap between the electrodes of the spark-plug. The device produces a distinct change in color of the spark at the electrodes of the plug;

In the modified form of bulb, designated 33, in Fig. 4, the terminals 34 and 35 within the bulb are more widely separated than in the bulb l5, and a central glass barrier-36 is interposed between the terminals. The efiect is to insure a longer passage of the current through the conductive gas within the bulb. It is believed, also, that this arrangement will tend to enhance the whirl of gases within the bulb and thus tend to enhance the electrical accumulation within the bulb.

The bulb may be filled with neon gas, for example, at atmospheric pressure, or even somewhat above atmospheric pressure; or, preferably, the pressure of the gas may be considerably less than atmospheric pressure. As compared with air, neon gas is highly conductive, but notwithstanding this, it apparently accepts an electrical charge and serves to feed the same to the gap between the electrodes of the spark-plug, thus increasing the, efliciency of, the engine and strongly tending to insure the spark-plug against given for cleamess of understanding only, and

i no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view 01' the prior art.

What we regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with an ignition system having a secondary circuit equipped with a distributor and with spark-plugs: an electrical accumulator device between the secondary winding and the spark-plug, comprising a bulb-socket mounted on one of the mentioned elements; and a bulb having a shank mounted in said socket, said bulb containing an inert conductive gas adapted to accumulate a charge and containing also a pair of electrodes connected in series in said secondary circuit through the medium of leads extending through said shank.

2. Means as specified in claim 1, in which the conductive gas in said bulb is neon gas.

3. In combination with the secondary circuit of an ignition system for internal combustion engines: a spark-plug adapted for connection with an engine cylinder, a distributor, said sparkplug and distributor being in series in the secondary circuit; and an accumulator device comprising a bulb-socket mounted on the spark-plug and having a central conductor electrically connected with the central terminal of the sparkplugv and having an outer terminal electrically connected with a lead from the distributor; and a bulb containing a conductive inert gas adapted to accept an electrical charge, said bulb containing electrodes, one of which is electrically connected with the central conductor of said socket and the other of which is electrically connected with the outer terminal of said socket.

4. An electrical accumulator adapted to beinterposed in the secondary circuit of an ignition system of the type described, comprising a socket provided with an insulation plug and a conductive sleeve rising above said plug, said plug having a central contact extending therethrough and said sleeve having a terminal for connection with a .conductor; and a bulb having a shank mounted removable slotted housing is combined with the bulb.

7. An accumulator device for the purpose set forth, comprising a lamp-socket provided with a central contact and with an outer terminal adapted for connection with a conductor; and a bulb having a shank fitted in said socket and provided with an outer terminal and a central terminal, said bulb containing an inert conductive gas adapted to accept an electric charge and electrodes, one of which is connected with the outer terminal of said shank and the other of which is connected with the central terminal of said shank.

8. A device as specified in claim 7, in which the socket includes an insulation plug and the central contact extends through said insulation plug and is equipped with an expanding device adapted for connection with the central terminal of a distributor-head.

9. In combination with an ignition-system having a secondary circuit comprising a coil, a distributor, and spark-plugs: an electrical accumulator device comprising a suitably supported bulbsocket having an outer terminal and a central terminal respectively connected in said secondary circuit, and a bulb having a shank mounted in said socket, said bulb containing an inert conductive gas adapted to accumulate a charge and containing also a pair of electrodes connected in series in said secondary circuit through the medium of leads extending through said shank and having electrical connection, respectively, with the outer terminal and the central terminal of said bulb-socket.

10. In means of the character set forth: an accumulator device comprising a bulb-socket mounted on a distributor-cap of an ignitionsystem, said socket being in the form of an adapter comprising an insulation plug mounted on the distributor-cap, a conductive sleeve on said plug affording a socket for the bulb and equipped with a socket for the plug of the conductor leading from the secondary winding and equipped also with a central conducting member extending through said plug and adapted to form an electrical connection between the central contact of the bulb and the central contact of the distributor; and a bulb mounted in said bulbsocket, said bulb containing an inert conductive gas adapted to accept an electrical charge and containing also electrodes having leads extending through the shank of said bulb and electrically connected, respectively, with the central conducting member of the plug and with the conductive sleeve of the plug.

JOHN BERG. ROBERT M. LINDSAY. 

